[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 183 (Thursday, September 22, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-23479]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 22, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Bonneville Power Administration

 

Floodplain and Wetlands Involvement for BPA's Hot Springs-
Garrison Fiber Optic Project

AGENCY: Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), DOE.

ACTION: Notice of Floodplain and Wetlands Involvement.

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SUMMARY: BPA proposes to upgrade its existing operational 
telecommunications equipment in Northwestern Montana from BPA's Hot 
Springs Substation to Garrison Substation, a distance of 190 kilometers 
(120 miles). This upgrade will involve replacing existing microwave 
equipment with fiber optic cable and equipment. The fiber optic cable 
will be strung on existing structures on BPA's Hot Springs-Garrison 
line and will use existing access roads and rights-of-way. No new 
structures will be needed for this project. This 190 kilometer line 
will span both floodplains and wetlands located in the counties of 
Sanders, Lake, Missoula, Granite, and Powell, Montana.
    In accordance with DOE regulations for compliance with floodplain 
and wetlands environmental review requirements (10 CFR Part 1022), BPA 
will prepare a floodplain and wetlands assessment and will perform this 
proposed action in a manner so as to avoid or minimize potential harm 
to or within the affected floodplain and wetlands.
    The assessment will be included in the environmental assessment 
being prepared for the proposed project in accordance with the 
requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act. A floodplain 
statement of findings will be included in any finding of no significant 
impact that may be issued following the completion of the environmental 
assessment.

DATES: Comments are due to the address below no later than October 10, 
1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin A. Ward, Bonneville Power 
Administration, P.O. Box 3621, Portland, Oregon, 97208-3621, phone 
number 503-230-5511, fax number 503-230-3984.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Within the transmission line corridor, 
wetlands can be found in association with various river systems and 
drainages. Many wetlands found along the Clark Fork river are remnants 
of old river channels, some of which were isolated during construction 
of Interstate 90, while others are due to the natural shifting of the 
channels (oxbows). Small wetlands have formed in a few areas adjacent 
to small drainages, such as Flint Creek. All wetlands are spanned by 
the fiber optic cable and avoided by access roads; therefore, there 
would be no direct impacts to wetlands from the proposed project. 
Appropriate mitigation measures will be used to reduce potential 
indirect impacts to wetlands.
    The transmission line corridor crosses or has structures located in 
areas identified as 100-year floodplains. These are areas that have a 
1-percent chance of being flooded in a given year. The corridor crosses 
floodplains associated with the Clark Fork River, Flint Creek, 
Rattlesnake Creek, Grant Creek, Butler Creek, Flathead River, Little 
Bitterroot River, and Valley Creek.
    There are twenty-six structures located in 100-year floodplains. Of 
these, three (structures 24/8, 25/2, and 91/4) have been identified as 
pulling and tensioning sites. Overall impacts to floodplains would be 
short-term and low; the proposed project activities would not alter 
floodplain characteristics or create the potential for greater loss of 
property or life during flooding. No new access roads or structures 
would be needed. At pulling and tensioning sites disturbance would 
occur from vehicles and machines, but all three sites are agricultural 
and would be returned to their original condition following 
construction.
    BPA will endeavor to allow 15 days of public review after 
publication of this statement of findings prior to implementing the 
proposed action.
    Maps and further information are available from BPA at the address 
above.

    Issued in Portland, Oregon, on September 13, 1994.
John M. Taves,
NEPA Compliance Officer, Transmission Services.
[FR Doc. 94-23479 Filed 9-21-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P